Common Cold: Symptoms, Home Care and When to Worry

5 min read · Conditions · By the Asthra Health Care team

What is the common cold?

The common cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat. Many different viruses can cause it, which is why people catch colds again and again. Colds are common all year in India, but more so during the monsoon and winter months, and when the weather changes suddenly.

A cold spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and through hands that touch the nose or eyes after touching contaminated surfaces like door handles, phones and bus rails. A person is most infectious in the first two to three days of symptoms, so this is when extra care with hand washing and covering coughs matters most.

Symptoms of common cold

Symptoms usually start one to three days after catching the virus. They are worst in the first two to three days and then slowly improve. Most adults feel better within a week, though a cough can linger a little longer.

• Sneezing, runny or blocked nose
• Sore or scratchy throat
• Mild cough and hoarse voice
• Mild headache and body ache
• Low-grade fever, more common in children

Cold or something else?

Flu (influenza) looks similar but usually starts suddenly with high fever, strong body ache and marked tiredness. Allergies cause sneezing and a runny nose too, but with itchy eyes, no fever, and symptoms that return with dust or seasons. COVID-19 can also start like a cold.

If symptoms are more severe than a usual cold, or you are unsure, a doctor can examine you and advise whether any test is needed. For a simple cold in a healthy adult, blood tests or X-rays are usually not required, and the diagnosis is made from the history and a quick examination.

Home care that helps

There is no medicine that kills cold viruses, so treatment is about feeling comfortable while the body clears the infection. Rest, drink warm fluids such as water, soups and weak tea, and eat simple home food. Steam inhalation from a bowl of hot water can ease a blocked nose; take care to avoid burns, especially around children.

Saline (salt water) nasal drops or spray are safe for most people, including children, and help clear a blocked nose. Gargling with warm salt water can soothe a sore throat. Wash hands often and cover your mouth when coughing to protect others.

Medicines for symptom relief

Paracetamol can ease fever, headache and body ache. Antihistamines such as cetirizine may reduce sneezing and a runny nose, but some cause drowsiness. Decongestant nasal sprays can open a blocked nose but should be used only for a few days, as longer use can make the blockage worse. Follow the label or your pharmacist's advice for all of these.

Many combination cold tablets contain several medicines together. Check with a pharmacist before taking them, especially if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, glaucoma or prostate problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving them to a child. Avoid taking two products that both contain paracetamol, which is an easy mistake to make.

Why antibiotics are not needed

Antibiotics work only against bacteria, not viruses. Taking them for a cold does not make you better faster and can cause side effects like loose motions. Using antibiotics without need also helps germs become resistant, so they may not work when you really need them. Take antibiotics only on a doctor's prescription.

Preventing colds

Wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds, especially before eating and after coughing, sneezing or using public transport. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Keep children with a cold at home for a day or two when they have fever, and teach them to cough into their elbow.

Good sleep, regular physical activity and a balanced diet with vegetables, fruits, pulses and enough protein help your immune system work well. Avoid smoking, which damages the lining of the airways and makes colds last longer. There is no reliable evidence that vitamin supplements prevent colds in people who already eat a healthy diet.

When to see a doctor for common cold

See a doctor if symptoms last more than ten days, if you get better and then suddenly worse, or if you develop high fever, ear pain, facial pain or breathing trouble. Babies, older people, pregnant women and people with asthma, heart or lung disease should seek advice earlier. If unsure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This article is general health information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or combine medicines on your own — always follow your doctor's prescription and ask your pharmacist if unsure.